DEC: Special Metals contamination extends off site

Contamination from past practices at a Middle Settlement Road industry seems to have extended beyond its site.

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The Telegram

Posted Jan. 9, 2014 at 5:00 AM

Posted Jan. 9, 2014 at 5:00 AM

NEW HARTFORD

Contamination investigation

2009: Special Metals enters into a Brownfield Cleanup Program with the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Prior to this agreement, the Special Metals site was regula...

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Contamination investigation

2009: Special Metals enters into a Brownfield Cleanup Program with the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Prior to this agreement, the Special Metals site was regulated under the DEC's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act program.2010: Investigation into possible contamination begins.2012: Investigation into possible contamination at off-site locations is outlined.2013: Initial investigation reveals off-site contamination in soil, sediment and fish samples.2014: An inclusive Remedial Investigation Report is expected sometime this year.2015: Special Metals is anticipated to complete the program, which includes investigation and remediation, before December 2015.Source: The state Department of Environmental Conservation

Contamination from past practices at a Middle Settlement Road industry seems to have extended beyond its site.

Data from a remedial investigation for Special Metals in New Hartford indicate that site-related contamination is present in off-site soil, sediment and fish samples, said Lisa King, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Environmental Conservation, in an email Wednesday.

"While these contaminant concentrations do not represent an immediate health concern, they may require remedial action," she said.

The 42-acre site voluntarily entered into a Brownfield Cleanup Program in 2009, and initial investigations turned up on-site contaminants, including impacts to groundwater by volatile organic compounds, PCBs and metal, as well as impacts to the soil by PCBs and metals.

"Special Metals is investigating surface soil at off-site properties because there is evidence of past deposition of metals, and is also investigating fish and sediment along the Mud Creek corridor because there is evidence of historic discharge of metals and PCBs to Mud Creek via drainage swales," King said.

The company, which manufactures production of nickel-base superalloys for aerospace and land-based gas turbines, has occupied the site since 1958. Its manufacturing operations have released contaminants into the soil and groundwater in the past, the DEC has said.

The investigation was expanded in 2012, according to a work plan outlined by Arcadis, a company that provides consultancy, design, engineering and management services in the fields of infrastructure, water, environment and buildings.

* Groundwater also would be tested for volatile organic compounds, dissolved metals as well as analysis of trivalent and hexavalent chromium levels.

Trivalent and hexavalent chromium typically are used for chrome plating, the manufacture of dyes and pigments, leather and wood preservation, and treatment of cooling tower water, according to the Environmental Protection Agency's website.

The EPA doesn't consider trivalent chromium a hazardous waste, but hexavalent chromium has been classified as a known carcinogen.

Jay Khetani, vice president of Investor Relations for Precision Castparts Corp. — the parent company of Special Metals — said chromium contamination is part of the "analytical program."

King said as the investigation of off-site locations continues, proper actions will be considered.

"Currently, there is no fish advisory associated with the section of Mud Creek being investigated," she said. "Following additional investigation of the extent of the off-site contamination, remedial actions, if necessary, will take place to reduce the potential for exposures to site-related contamination."

She said the inclusive Remedial Investigation Report is expected be completed sometime this year.

Khetani said initially the company anticipated having the investigation and remediation complete by 2012, but there were setbacks.

Page 2 of 2 - "There have been some delays due to installation of new equipment at the plant, expansion of the operations, and changes in project personnel," he said.

Because of the Brownfield Cleanup Agreement that Special Metals entered in to, King said the company is obligated to complete the remedial program, which includes investigation and remediation. It's expected to be completed before December 2015.